RIAA Tallies The Decade's Top Gold & Platinum Award Winners

WASHINGTON -- Late last month the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released a tally of the decade's highest Gold and Platinum award achievements.

Included in the RIAA’s 2000-2009 tally (below) are the artists who received the most G&P certifications, the best selling music releases, and a timeline of notable decade dates.

“We’ve seen a decade of major music milestones and extraordinary artist achievements as part of our historic Gold and Platinum program,” said Mitch Bainwol, Chairman and CEO, RIAA. “The names, songs and albums on our list are the decade’s best and are etched in our music DNA.”

“As the way fans access and enjoy music continues to evolve, so has and will the G&P program in recognizing the highest commercial and artistic success,” added Bainwol. “As a community, we’ve endured our share of challenges, but the new decade brings reasons for hope and optimism. The appetite for music is stronger than ever and the breadth of innovation is amazing. In this ever-evolving landscape, we’re grateful that the RIAA’s Gold and Platinum program continues to be the music industry’s recognized brand for success.”

While the RIAA’s Gold and Platinum program was officially launched in 1958, the past decade included a number of significant milestones:

On May 10, 2001 Sony/Jive boy band *NSYNC’s No Strings Attached (2000) became the first album of the decade to earn an RIAA Diamond award marking more than ten million in U.S. sales. The decade of Diamond albums that followed -- from Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory to Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me and more -- represent some of the best and most influential recordings in G&P history.

In 2004 the RIAA formally expanded its G&P program to include a Digital Sales award in endorsement of the significant sales of emerging digital music formats. Two years later, in 2006, the RIAA launched the Master Ringtone Sales Award to recognize the growing popularity of enjoying music through cellular phones.

Come 2008 the RIAA heralded the 50th anniversary of its historic Gold Record, marking 50 years to the day Elvis was awarded his first Gold award for “Hard Headed Woman,” one of the King’s 53 Gold single certifications from the RIAA.

Several of the decade’s best awards were presented in 2009, including the best-selling digital download of all time -- at 5x multi-Platinum -- to Warner/Atlantic rapper Flo Rida for his hit “Low” as well as the highest certified ringtone ever to Universal/Cash Money artist Lil Wayne for his hot phone tone “Lollipop,” also at 5x multi-Platinum.

The following are the decade’s highest Gold and Platinum award achievements:

TOP ARTIST TALLIES

*Each level of multi-Platinum counts as its own unit and contributes to the tally
*Only music released, as well as certifications granted, during 2000 - 2009 are included

Most total certifications (includes cumulative album, digital song, master ringtone, and music video certifications):

Group: The Eagles – 47 (Warner)

Male solo artist: Michael Jackson – 49 (Sony/Epic)

Female solo artist: Beyonce – 64 (Sony/Columbia)


Most album certifications:

Group: Nickelback – 25 (Roadrunner)

Male solo artist: George Strait – 29 (UMG/MCA Nashville)

Female solo artist: Britney Spears – 23 (Sony/Jive)


Most digital song certifications:

Group: Linkin Park – 13 (Warner)

Male solo artist: Kanye West – 19 (UMG/Def Jam)

Female solo artist: Taylor Swift – 25 (Big Machine)


Most master ringtone certifications:

Male solo artist: T.I. – 15 (WMG/Atlantic/Grand Hustle)

Female solo artist: Beyonce – 19 (Sony/Columbia)


HIGHEST CERTIFIED RELEASES
*Format is: (record label/year released)
Highest certified album:

Group: *NSYNC’s No Strings Attached (Sony/Jive, 2000), – 11x Platinum & OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – 11x Platinum (LaFace/Jive, 2003)

Male solo artist: Usher’s Confessions – 10x Platinum (LaFace/Jive, 2004)

Female solo artist: Shania Twain’s Up! – 11x Platinum (UMG/Mercury Nashville, 2002)


Highest certified digital song:

Group: Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” – 3x multi-Platinum (EMI/Capitol, 2008) and The Fray’s “How to Save a Life” – 3x multi-Platinum (Sony/Epic, 2006)

Male solo artist: Flo Rida’s “Low” – 5x multi-Platinum (Warner/Atlantic, 2008)

Female solo artist: Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” – 4x multi-Platinum (UMG/Interscope, 2008) and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” – 4x multi-Platinum (Big Machine, 2008)

Music News & Notes

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE: 'Fever' Cover Artwork Unveiled

Welsh metallers BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE will release their third album, "Fever", in the U.S. on April 27 (one day earlier internationally) via Jive/Zomba.

"Fever" pairs BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE with producer Don Gilmore, best known for his work with LINKIN PARK and GOOD CHARLOTTE. "He totally beat me up to get the best songwriting out of me," Tuck told Rock Sound. "We needed someone to take us to another level even though we've had such huge success off our own backs."








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SONIC SYNDICATE: New Album Title, Artwork Unveiled

Swedish/British modern metallers SONIC SYNDICATE have set "We Rule The Night" as the title of their new album, due in Europe on May 28 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Bohus Sound studios in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Toby Wright, who has previously worked with KORN, SLAYER, MÖTLEY CRÜE, KISS, FEAR FACTORY, IN FLAMES, STONE SOUR and OZZY OSBOURNE, among others.

The cover artwork for "We Rule The Night" was created by Gustavo Savez of Abstrata Art and can be viewed at the left.








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Iron Maiden Announces The Final Frontier World Tour

Band Photo: Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden has announced that the forthcoming new studio album will be called "The Final Frontier" and is expected be released late summer of this year. The announcement comes with news of a North American Tour with special guests Dream Theater to open in Dallas, Texas, on 9th June and finish in Washington D.C. on 20th July, making it Maiden's most extensive North American tour in many years.

Following these shows in USA and Canada, The Final Frontier World Tour will travel back to Europe for a few selected major festival and stadium shows with the band planning to continue to many other countries in 2011.

IMTV will return to www.ironmaiden.com to cover The Final Frontier World Tour to give fan club members an insight to the band's touring world. This exclusive footage includes regular video from the live shows, touring, band interviews, insights into the crew and what they do and much much more. The website will also feature exclusive tour diaries, exclusive photographs and anything else that helps the fans get a real insight into the dynamics of a big tour.

Confirmed dates for The Final Frontier 2010 North American Tour with Dream Theater:

Jun. 09 Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center
Jun. 11 Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Jun. 12 San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
Jun. 14 Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
Jun. 16 Albuquerque, NM - The Pavilion
Jun. 17 Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Wireless Pavilion
Jun. 19 San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheatre
Jun. 20 Concord, CA - Sleep Train Pavilion
Jun. 22 Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre
Jun. 24 Vancouver, BC - GM Place
Jun. 26 Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
Jun. 29 Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Center
Jun. 30 Winnipeg, MB - MTS Center (without Dream Theater)
Jul. 03 Toronto, ON - Molson Amphitheatre
Jul. 07 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
Jul. 11 Holmdel, NJ - PNC
Jul. 12 New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Jul. 14 Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagra Pavilion
Jul. 15 Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
Jul. 17 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Jul. 18 Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Jul. 20 Washington D.C. - Jiffy Lube Live

The Final Frontier 2010 European Tour:

Jul. 30 - Aug. 01 UK - Knebworth Sonisphere Festival
Aug. 05 Germany - Wacken Festival
Aug. 07 Sweden - Stockholm Stora Skuggan Sonisphere Festival
Aug. 08 Finland - Helsinki Pori's Kirjurinluoto Sonisphere Festival
Aug. 11 Norway- Bergen Bergenhus Festning - Koengen

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DROWNING POOL: New Album Artwork

Texas heavy rockers DROWNING POOL will release their new, self-titled album in April via Eleven Seven Music. Commented the band: "After months of lockdown in the recording studio in New Jersey, we are proud to emerge with our most solid and dynamic album yet. All you DROWNING POOL fans will dig the new tunes so crank it up and rock out with us!"











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Thrice Tour and Extremely Limited Edition Vinyl

Vagrant Records has announced that a second pressing of Thrice's latest studio album, Beggars (09/09), will be available on vinyl as of yesterday. Of the 1000 piece limited run, only 100 will be pressed on colored vinyl and available exclusively through the Vagrant store. The package includes a 24-page booklet with exclusive liner notes written by the band (this second run is not numbered or autographed and does not contain a download card).

The Orange County, CA-based quartet will be joining Manchester Orchestra next month for a string of co-headlining dates across the country.

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First Dates Announced for Simon & Garfunkel North American Tour

The following concert dates are now being shown on the Simon & Garfunkel website along with the individual sites of both men, but are not yet being shown on many of the concert aggregation sites such as Pollstar. Tickets for Fargo go on sale this morning. St. Paul, Madison and Montreal go on sale on the 13th. All of the rest are set for the 12th. Look for confirmation of these shows and more shows to be added soon.

04/24 - New Orleans, LA - Jazz & Heritage Festival
04/29 - Vancouver, BC - General Motors Place
05/01 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
05/02 - Calgary, AB - Pengrowth Saddledome
05/04 - Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre
05/05 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Centre
05/07 - Fargo, ND - Fargodome
05/08 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
05/09 - Madison, WI - Kohl Center Arena
05/12 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
05/14 - Ottawa, ON - Scotiabank Place
05/15 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre

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Foreigner, Styx And Kansas United In Rock Tour

The tour of the summer unites three iconic bands, Styx, Foreigner and special guests Kansas, responsible for countless Top Ten hits and well over 100 million album sales.

United In Rock, scheduled to kick off in May, brings together three bands that helped shape rock and roll for a generation of music fans by dominating the charts and airwaves for decades. Tickets go on sale March 6th for shows in Boston and Chicago with additional tour dates and ticket on sale information to be announced shortly at LiveNation.com. With tickets beginning at $10* in select markets, this is sure to be the summer's biggest night of hits in 2010, uniting fans from all over the country to a rock bash for less cash.

"I am very excited to be performing this summer with both Foreigner and Kansas on our United In Rock Tour. These three bands represent the more rocking side of the classic rock genre. With the countless great rock songs each band will be performing this is going to be a guitars-a-blazin' good time had by all. STYX is a band that one of our best known songs is about the blue collar man in the unemployment line and we totally identify with the average hard working people that are facing difficult economic times. We want to say thank you with affordable tickets for you and your family," said James "JY" Young of Styx.

"Super line up, amazing songs, can't wait, let's rock," said Foreigner's Mick Jones.

The three rock legends will team up for an evening full of some of the most memorable rock songs ever recorded, mining 30 years of hits on a tour that will take them to Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, Virginia Beach, DC, New York, Boston, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Detroit and more cities to be announced.

June 3 Kansas City Starlight Theatre On sale now
June 4 St. Louis Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre On sale now
June 5 Chicago Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island On sale 3/6
June 20 Boston Bank of America Pavilion On sale 3/6

*More dates to be announced soon.

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YES and Peter Frampton To Come Alive Together This Summer

Two of the most influential and ground-breaking artists of the 1970s- YES and Peter Frampton- are reuniting for a twenty-five city national co-headline summer tour, which kicks-off in early June and runs through the middle of July.

The two performed stadium shows together in 1976, including a show to more than 100,000 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Tickets will go on sale for the June 16, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY show on March 5. For additional ticket information please visit: www.yesworld.com or www.frampton.com.

The concerts will feature more than three hours of music from the Grammy Award winners, performances which are sure to include YES classics such as "I've Seen All Good People," "Starship Trooper," as well as Frampton hits "Show Me The Way," "Baby, I Love Your Way" and "Do You Feel Like We Do."

One of history's greatest, legendary, progressive rock bands, YES will feature a lineup of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White, as well as Oliver Wakeman (son of Rick Wakeman) on keyboards and lead singer Benoit David. Songs that have left an indelible mark on rock 'n' roll history and a concert spectacular that has become synonymous with YES, make this tour one that should not be missed.

YES's performance will include the hugely successful and indelible catalogue of music from hit albums such as Drama, Fragile, Close to the Edge and 90125. Classics such as "Roundabout," a seminal hit which consistently appears on "the best songs of all-time" lists, and the group's #1 hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart" are sure to be featured for an evening of music not to be missed.

One of the most popular concert attractions of all-time YES's remarkable career has served to re-define the boundaries of rock. As a dominant force for more than four decades, YES has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles has made each of the group's players virtuosos in their own right.

Frampton remains one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. Raised in London, Frampton taught himself to play guitar while still in single digits. He studied at the Bromley Technical School with classmate David Bowie (with whom he later recorded and toured). At 16, he was lead singer and guitarist for British teen band, the Herd. At 18, he co-founded one of the first super groups, seminal rock act Humble Pie. His fifth solo album, the electrifying Frampton Comes Alive!, is one of the top selling live records of all time. Frampton is so identified as the quintessential rocker, that he served as a consultant on Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous, Crowe's semi-autobiographical film about a teenage journalist covering the fictional rock band Stillwater.

YES/PETER FRAMPTON TOUR DATES (MORE TO BE ADDED)

June 16 Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
June 18 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
June 19 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA
June 20 Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Meadow Lands, PA
June 23 Wolf Trap Foundation for Performing Arts, Vienna, VA
July 4 Lake Forest Venue, Blue Ash, OH
July 7 Sandia Casino, Albuquerque, NM
July 9 Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
July 10 Harrah's Rincon-Open Sky Theater, Valley Center, CA

This Date In Music History-March 6

Birthdays:

Sylvia Robinson - Mickey & Sylvia (1936)

David Gilmour - Pink Floyd (1944)

Mary Wilson - Supremes (1944)

Hugh Grundy - Zombies (1945)

Murray Head (1946)

Kiki Dee (1947)

Stephen Bier (Wayne Gacy) - Marilyn Manson (1964)

Dwight Grant (Beanie Sigel) (1974)


They Are Missed:

Welsh composer, singer and actor Ivor Novello died in 1951 (age 58). He first became known for the song ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning,’ which he composed during World War I. The annual British songwriter award is named after him.

George Formby died in 1961 (age 57). UK singing comedian and ukulele player. Made over 20 films, best known song 'Leaning On A Lamp Post.' Made an OBE in 1946. Influenced George Harrison.

Born today in 1893, Memphis blues artist Walter “Furry” Lewis. He was the first guitarist to play with a bottleneck. He lost a leg in a railroad accident and once supported The Rolling Stones. Joni Mitchell wrote the song "Furry Sings The Blues" after him. Lewis died on September 14, 1981 (age 88).

Paul Revere and the Raiders’ drummer, Mike Smith, died in 2001 at age 58.

King Floyd ("Groove Me") died in 2006 of complications from a stroke and diabetes.


History:

The Everly Brothers recorded "All I Have To Do Is Dream" in 1958.

The Drifters record one of their classics "There Goes My Baby" in 1959.

Frank Sinatra recorded his final session for Capitol Records in Hollywood in 1962.

The Temptations went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1965 with the Smokey Robinson penned song "My Girl," making the group the first male act to have a #1 hit for Motown.



In 1966, the Rolling Stones started recording sessions for their tenth UK single "Paint It Black" at RCA studios in Hollywood.

The Beatles recorded sound effects onto the song "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" at Abbey Road studios in London in 1967. The beginning audience murmurs and sounds of a band preparing for a performance are added, along with screams from a tape of the Beatles in concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

In 1970, Awareness records released the Charles Manson album 'Lie' in the US. Manson was unable to promote the LP due to the fact he was serving a life sentence for the Sharon Tate murders.

An attempt to bring Elvis Presley to the UK for shows at London's Earl's Court failed in 1973. Promoters had hoped that Elvis would be available during the summer but were told that Elvis now had US tour and filming commitments.

John Lennon's visa extension was canceled by the New York Office of the Immigration Department in 1973. It had been granted only five days before.

Led Zeppelin’s “Physical Graffiti” gets a gold record award in 1975.

Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon" was released in 1976.

In 1976, EMI Records re-released all 22 British Beatles singles. In addition "Yesterday" was released for the first time on 45 rpm in the UK.

The Go-Go's started a six-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1982 with 'Beauty And The Beast.'

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand podium was given to the Smithsonian in 1982.

Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1993 with "A Whole New World'(Aladdin's Theme)". The single ended Whitney Houston's 14-week run at the top of the charts.

In 1999, Monica had the US #1 single with "Angel Of Mine."

In 2001, a man who hid for 24 hours in the rafters of a Cathedral and secretly filmed the Christening of Madonna's baby appeared in court. Security staff discovered the man after the ceremony when he made a noise as he climbed down from the rafters.

In 2004, David Crosby was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana after leaving his bag in a New York hotel. The luggage was found by a hotel employee looking for identification, finding instead a handgun and marijuana. The employee called authorities, and Crosby, discovering the missing luggage himself, telephoned to say he would return for it. He was met by New York police, who arrested him.

Yet another Jimi Hendrix related law suit in 2007. Experience Hendrix, the business entity that oversees Hendrix's estate files in a Washington court against a company that allegedly is using the guitar icon's name and image for a brand of vodka without authorization. They accuse Electric Hendrix, the makers of Electric Hendrix Vodka, of trademark infringement and false advertising. Electric Hendrix's owners include Jimi's brother, the disenfranchised Leon Hendrix, and the guitar-great's one-time drummer Buddy Miles. Leon says he's "shocked and saddened" by the lawsuit.

A two-hour film culled from rare footage of John Lennon that was to premiere at a free screening at Berwick Academy in South Berwick, MA in 2007, gets cancelled after the legal team representing Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, orders the school not to screen the movie. Ono claims she owns the rights to 3 Days In The Life, though its director, Ono's first husband, Tony Cox, sold the film to three fans in ‘00. The footage was shot in February '70 for a never-completed documentary project.

The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was chosen by the Librarian of Congress to enter the '06 National Recording Registry in 2007. The selection is for recordings deemed "significant."



In 2009, Phil Collins participated in a San Antonio ceremony commemorating the historic 1836 battle at the Alamo between Mexican soldiers and Texan defenders. The Genesis frontman is an Alamo aficionado, and collects artifacts and memorabilia. He’s also made an honorary member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. "Basically, now I've stopped being Phil Collins the singer. This has become what I do," says Collins of his avocation. Isn't he British?

Record Store Day Releases

Soundgarden Reissue Sub Pop Debut Single - Hold Steady To Release Limited Edition Album Vinyl For Record Store Day

To go along with all the joy surrounding the Soundgarden reunion, Sub-Pop Records is going to offer a limited edition, orange vinyl 7″ reissue of the band’s Sub-Pop debut single, “Hunted Down,” with “Nothing To Say” on the B-side.

Sub-Pop’s special vinyl release will be available at select retailers as part of Record Store Day on April 17. The Hold Steady are to release a limited edition run of their new album on vinyl to mark Record Store Day. Each special edition of 'Heaven Is Whenever' will feature custom screen printed artwork. The “highly limited” copies will only be available in independent record stores participating in Record Store Day, which takes place on April 17. 'Heaven Is Whenever' was produced by Dean Baltulonis, who also engineered the band's 2004 debut 'Almost Killed Me'.

Here's a sneak peak at some of the exciting releases coming our way for Record Store Day(April 17th this year).

Elvis Costello Live At Hollywood High 7" Vinyl (3 cuts)
Godsmack Godsmack 7" Vinyl
La Roux Bulletproof Live & Remixed 7" Vinyl
Owl City Owl City 7" Vinyl
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Live In Skowhegan CD
Queens Of The Stone Age Feel Good Hit Of The Summer 10" Pic. Disc
R.E.M. Chronic Town 12" Vinyl
Sonic Youth Hits Are For Squares 2 LP
Them Crooked Vultures Mind Eraser, No Chaser LP
TV On The Radio Dear Science LP w/d.load card
Weezer … Raditude Happy RSD CD
White Lies The Remix EP CD
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Skeletons 7" Vinyl


Very Limited Supplies!

1. Soundgarden “Hunted Down” 7” vinyl—STREET: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED! FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!)

2. Mason Jennings “Live at Fingerprints” CD---STREET: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED! FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!)

3. Get Up Kids “Simple Science” CD---STREET: 4/13/10 (RECORD STORE DAY WEEK RELEASE)

4. Royce Da 5’9” “Street Hop” 12” vinyl---STREET: RECORD STORE DAY!

5. Ani Difranco “Live at Bull Moose” CD---STREET: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED!! FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!)

6. Rodriguez “Inner City Blues” 7” vinyl---STREET: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED! FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!)

7. Dios “We Are Dios” CD---STREET: RECORD STORE DAY!

8. Phoenix “Fences” 12” vinyl single---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED!! FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED)

9. Drive By Truckers “Your Woman is a Living Thing” 7” vinyl---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED, FIRST COME…)

10. Cage the Elephant “Live at Grimey’s” CD/EP---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED, FIRST COME…)

11. Shooter Jennings & Hierophant “Don’t Feed the Animals” CD/EP---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED, FIRST COME…)

12. White Rabbits & Antlers “Live from Daytrotter” 7” vinyl---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED, FIRST COME…)

13. Asteroids Galaxy Tour “Fruit” 12” vinyl---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED, FIRST COME…)

14. Fela Kuti 10” vinyl EP---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED, FIRST COME…)

15. Infected Mushroom “Killing Time Remix” 12” vinyl---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED, FIRST COME…)

16. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey “The Sensation of Seeing Light” 7” vinyl---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED, FIRST COME…)

17. Nonpoint “Miracle” DVD Single---Street: RECORD STORE DAY! (LIMITED! FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!!)

Music News & Notes

Taproot: New Album Artwork Unveiled

Michigan-based hard rock quartet Taproot will release its fifth album, "Plead The Fifth", on April 13 via Victory Records. The CD was recorded on farm in Sullivan, Michigan with producer Tim Patalan.

Taproot guitarist Mike DeWolf recently told AOL's Noisecreep that "Plead The Fifth" will sound closer to the band's 2000 debut, "Gift", than 2008's "Our Long Road Home", which was progressive in nature.

"We're definitely making it as heavy as possible and aggressive while still keeping a lot of the beautiful melodies and just the general beauty of things in it," he said of the forthcoming disc. "We're using a lot more of our baritone guitars, which was sort of the signature of the 'Gift' and 'Welcome' [2002] years, so that immediately makes things a lot heavier."




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GOD.FEAR.NONE: 'Over Black Clouds' Artwork Revealed

Greek death metallers GOD.FEAR.NONE will release their new album, "Over Black Clouds", later in the year. The CD contains 11 new songs of technical and melodic death metal, plus three re-recordings of songs taken from the "Vultures" album, which was released in 2007 (available only through iTunes and Uppercut Music). For more information, visit www.myspace.com/godfearnone.








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Rare Brazilian Psychedelic 45s Released on New CD

'Brazilian Guitar Fuzz Bananas: Tropicalia Psychedelic Masterpieces 1967-1976' is the title of a newly issued compilation CD containing 16 extremely rare recordings from the heyday of early heavy Brazilian rock. Released on Tropicalia in Furs Records, the collection, compiled by Joel Stones, includes what is described in a press release as "some of the rarest and best examples of fuzzy, funky Brazilian psychedelia," all of it previously un-reissued and newly remastered.

The package also includes a 36-page full-color booklet stuffed with detailed annotation (in both English and Portuguese) and vivid images. In addition, also included is an enhanced CD, 'What are Fuzz Bananas?,' a documentary on the making of the album. A vinyl two-LP gatefold edition includes a 48-page booklet and 3-D glasses. Examples of the artwork can be found here and the album in either configuration can be purchased here. (http://www.stonesthrow.com/store/album/various/brazilian-guitar-fuzz-bananas)

The gatefold 2LP comes with an oversized 12x12” full color booklet with all of the liner notes and photos from the CD and contains original artwork on the inside (3D glasses included in the first pressing).

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SEVENDUST: 'Cold Day Memory' Artwork Unveiled

Atlanta, Georgia's SEVENDUST will release its new album, "Cold Day Memory", on April 20 via the band's own 7Bros. Records through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group. The CD was recorded at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, Illinois with producer Johnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND, MACHINE HEAD). "Cold Day Memory" marks SEVENDUST's first studio recording with the band's original lineup since 2003's "Seasons".

SEVENDUST's new single, "Unraveling", was released via iTunes on March 2 and is available to stream on the the band's MySpace page. (http://www.myspace.com/sevendust)











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Harvey Milk Ready New Album

Athens scuzz-rock survivors Harvey Milk cranked out Life... The Best Game in Town in 2008, which was a crushing slab of bottom-heavy, generally unfriendly metal that landed them Pitchfork's Best New Music section. On May 18, they'll follow that late-career triumph with a new full-length, A Small Turn of Human Kindness, via Hydra Head.

That ominous-looking photo above is the album's cover art, and below, you'll find a list of the album's seven songs, arranged sequentially. And yes, the album really does lead off with a song called "*"; that's not a typo. The other titles read something like a very sad short story.

Harvey Milk will spend their spring touring North America with fellow eardrum-abusing veterans like Converge and Coalesce.










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Nada Surf Covers LP

Nada Surf have a new covers album called If I Had a Hi-Fi. On June 8, Nada Surf's own Mardev Records will release the album, which includes their takes on tracks from Spoon, Kate Bush, Depeche Mode, and more. Until then, you'll only be able to buy it at the band's shows. Holly Miranda and Calexico's Martin Wenk make guest appearances.

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Rolling Stones To Record New Material 'This Year'

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has said he expects that the band will record new material before the end of 2010. The band's future has been uncertain since they completed their Bigger Bang world tour in 2007.

But in an interview with Rolling Stone, Richards said: “There’s no definite plans, but I can’t see any of them stopping.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we did some recording later this year.”

However, Richards, who is currently writing his autobiography, cast doubt over the Rolling Stones' future as a live act.  He said the group may consider scaling down any future concerts, despite the success of recent stadium tours.

“Maybe we’ll search for a different way for the Stones to go back on the road,” Richard said.

“Maybe not the football stadiums anymore. Maybe something different. You can’t go around there in lemon-yellow tights forever.”

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Sean Lennon Defends Yoko Over Controversial Advertisement

Sean Lennon came to the defense of his mother, Yoko Ono, over her perceived "selling out" of John Lennon's memory by licensing old footage for a Citroen D3 advertisement.

Lennon took to Twitter even before he had viewed the commercial, writing "She did not do it for money. Has to do w hoping to keep dad in public consciousness. No new LPs, so TV ad is exposure to young."

He then evidently viewed the actual commercial (see below) and added "Having just seen ad I realize why people are mad. But intention was not financial, was simply wanting to keep him out there in the world."

I agree to disagree here, Lennon would have never thought that this would be a way to keep him relevant. You would think that his music would be enough......Any other thoughts?

Riding the vinyl wave of retro chic

This from across the pond at http://www.buckinghamshireadvertiser.co.uk

Mar 3 2010 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

Tucked away on an anonymous industrial estate sits perhaps one of the most important relics of the British music industry. The old EMI manufacturing plant has been pressing records since the turn of the last century. JACK GRIFFITH went to visit the plant, to discover it has a new lease of life.

AT A time when music is readily available for next to nothing to anyone with a computer or even a mobile phone, you could be forgiven for thinking that vinyl, a relatively expensive, cumbersome and outdated format, had died a death, gone the way of the Betamax video casette or 8mm home movie camera.

But The Vinyl Factory (TVF) has seen good times since its acquisition of the plant from EMI in 2001.

"EMI didn't believe there was much of a future for vinyl and sold its manufacturing arm to us," said Vinyl Factory creative director Sean Bidder.

"It became clear that digital music would take over but we also believed that there was a market for the 'physical form' of the music.

"There will always be collectors and enthusiasts who would make more of the artwork and the product.

"People want to own music when they hear something that strikes a chord, and they are prepared to pay a little bit extra for something special."

The factory, in Blyth Road, Hayes, first opened in 1907, making the relatively new gramophone records which were just then beginning to over-take the phonograph cylinder in popularity.

By 1939, vinyl, that was to become the standard, was starting to make an appearance, and EMI was busy experimenting with stereophonic sound.

Everything went on to the back burner for the duration of the Second World War, as EMI did its bit developing radar equipment and ammunition.

So it was not until the 1950s that the company developed the first automatic pressing machines, and it is the descendants of these revolutionary bits of kit - still bearing rusted EMI stamps - that remain in the factory to this day.

Back in 1931, EMI had opened a recording studio in a quiet corner of St John's Wood. Abbey Road was to become one of the most important and iconic locations of modern popular music.

The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Cliff Richard - it is pointless trying to list the names of all the great performers who have recorded here. EMI Studios, as it was known until 1970, has seen so many, and their carefully-crafted output would quickly find its way to Hayes for pressing.

Buried in the endless shelves of records that line the plant are the priceless master discs of some of British music's most celebrated artists of the 20th century.

Roy Matthews, head of production at the plant and a loyal EMI employee of more than 40 years, who also played a part in the development of the pressing machinery, said not a lot had changed in the way records are produced.

Cutting-edge technology and formats may have moved on, but if you want something from a bygone era then it has to be made in the same old-fashioned way.

TVF is happily riding the wave of the wave of retro chic and rarity, manufacturing limited edition box sets for clients - the Antiques Roadshow 'finds' of the late 21st century.

For example, the recent release of One Life Stand by the dance group Hot Chip was first published digitally (a computer file), then in CD format and finally as a limited edition, 12in disc with accompanying gatefold sleeve - remember those? - and 'exclusive artwork' courtesy of TVF.

According to the band's website, it is limited to 1,000 hand-numbered editions of two 200g vinyl records, and is tipped to become 'an instant collectors' item'. Indeed, some of the special editions released by TVF have already proved to be shrewd investments.

The special edition box set of The Pet Shop Boys'Yes LP, voted the most collectible product of the 21st century by Record Collector magazine, recently fetched more than £3,000 at auction - 10 times its original price.

Over the last decade, TVF has developed into a profitable business that has rejuvenated the vinyl market. But despite the commercial success, TVF continues to be committed to the preservation of the original factory.

Mr Bidder said: "We were very much interested in the heritage of the site. This plant tells the history of British music; its legacy still lives on today and we are committed to preserving the unique history and character of the factory itself."

Mr Matthews said: "We don't get many visitors but when people do come to have a look they are often interested and surprised that something like this still exists. It's a reminder of how industry once was."

Heavyweight machinery, silver pipes and stacked records dominate the 30,000sq ft of the factory floor. Front and centre are the EMI Type 1400 presses.

Any preconceptions of a computerised production line churning out records at a rate of knots are quickly dashed. An ultra-clean, hermetically sealed CD factory this is not.

It is an arduous, complicated and time-consuming process that is nevertheless seeing something of a resurgence thanks to the repopularisation of the format among music lovers who want more than just an MP3 file - something to touch, something to smell, something to put a needle on.

Michael Fremer Album Review

Thanks to Michael over at http://www.musicangle.com/ for the exclusive rights to reprint this material.



ALBUM REVIEW:
Sufjan Stevens (recent release)
The Brooklyn Queens Expressway


Asthmatic Kitty Records AKR 278 180g LP+comic book


Produced by: Sufjan Stevens
Engineered by: Alejandro Vengeur
Mixed by: Sufjan Stevens
Mastered by: Ray Janos at Sterling Sound


Can an indie rocker do orchestral music? (When you're Sufjan, yes)

Guest Review by: Michael Fremer
2010-03-01



The indie rocker Sufjan Stevens brings a surprising and delightful buoyancy and sense of wonderment to his orchestral suite commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its “Next Wave” Music Festival. The original debut performances were in November of 2007.

The suite pays tribute of sorts, or at least explores musically, Mr. Stevens' reaction to the clogged and much reviled urban artery known as the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. While the road is now part of the Interstate Highway System (you know, a fantastic achievement brought to you by “the government” that conservatives insist can’t possibly do anything right), it was initially designed to connect the Triborough Bridge (now Robert F. Kennedy Bridge) in Queens with Brooklyn’s Gowanus Parkway.

The late Robert Moses designed the road, which bisected Brooklyn, destroying entire neighborhoods. He did likewise with the Cross-Bronx Expressway. His once shiny star has fallen. The original section of the BQE, and the soon to be replaced Kosciuszko bridge, which spans the once stinky (and perhaps still so) Newtown Creek forms one of the homeliest stretches of road to be found anywhere in the world.

While Sufjan Stevens wasn’t around or old enough to remember, when the original BQE opened, the area below was packed with both working class neighborhoods and a thriving industrial base.

Driving on the BQE back then, one looked out upon smoke belching factories and some that burned bright orange/blue flames of gaseous runoff atop tall, thin rods extending high in the sky. It was a sight.

Among the factories was the original EICO electronics plant where the famed tube amps and kits were designed and built.

There was also the 320,000 square foot Trunz pork products processing plant under the Kosciuszko bridge that emitted some of the foulest smells imaginable, easily distinguished from the car and other fumes.

To this day I can still smell the awfulness coming from that place, even though the closest I ever got was driving on the BQE with my father and sisters to Coney Island and Steeplechase Park. The pork products though, were apparently quite tasty.

All of this smelly, grizzly, ugly history cannot begin to prepare you for the beauty that Mr. Stevens creates here, beginning with a cacophonous drone perhaps meant to resemble traffic on the BQE. That’s followed by a gorgeous, if somewhat pompous fanfare that given the subject matter evokes a twinge of humor behind its grandeur.

Stevens the arranger has always had a deft hand with woodwinds and brass and he uses both here to evoke movement generally and traffic specifically but more subtly than Gershwin did in “An American in Paris,” for instance.

There are strains of Philip Glass’s “Koyaanisqatsi” in the high pitched dancing brass figures and following one of the few genuinely cacophonous outbursts in the piece, a dazzling display of Stevens’ fluffy-light meringue-like woodwind and brass arranging abilities to close out side one.

“Traffic Shock” opens side two with spark showers of a synthesized continuation of side one’s orchestral flow overlaid with woodwinds. Then, it’s back to the syncopated, loping, cascading orchestral figures that wind throughout the sprawling piece. As it heads to a conclusion, the music alternates between splashes of musical graffiti as brass figures explode and drip and passages filled with high drama.

All of that gives way to a lovely celeste interlude followed by more arpeggiated brass and woodwinds and a dazzling finale that does evoke Gershwin, which is surprising since I always thought Sufjan had more Copland in him.

The suite ends with a lovely, introspective solo piano denouement that looks back wistfully at the whole piece, evoking in soft tones, much of the preceding musical action, all of which revolves around hula hoop wielding super heroines and a fanciful science fiction plotline that one needn’t follow to be swept up and taken by the music.

We rarely look forward to rockers dabbling in the classical tradition, whether it’s Paul McCartney who produced some that was pretty good or Billy Joel who said he was going to but didn’t deliver.

Sufjan Stevens’ considerable and more importantly unique orchestrating abilities were obvious on his albums of songs. Here he’s managed to shuck completely the melodic songwriting conventions and constructions to which pop writers normally cling.

Even McCartney’s best “classical” works drifted back toward “tunefulness.” Stevens steers clear of triad based melodic convention here and while the work is evocative in some ways of Philip Glass, what ultimately shines through is the unique Sufjan Stevens musical personality that was remarkably well focused at the beginning of his recording career.

This is a rollicking, dynamic, playful and beautiful piece of music that flows far more effectively than does the BQE. It never gets bogged down in pop music convention and Mr. Stevens’ colorful orchestral arrangements continually delight the rhythmic and harmonic senses, aided by a superbly coherent live studio recording that’s somewhat dry and exquisitely clean and spacious. The LP mastering from a digital source by Ray Janos at Sterling is outstanding and the 180g pressing well-finished and quiet.

The LP packaging is worth a separate review. It’s a triple gatefold full color extravaganza that includes a comic book, an approximately 12”x12” full color glossy booklet containing psychedelicized photos of Brooklyn and the BQE that mirror the comic book’s hula-hoop/Robert Moses/nuclear sub sci-fi story line. Don’t expect an explanation from me! You’ll have to read the comic book and flip through the dazzling photos.

Sufjan Stevens’ BQE is also the soundtrack to a short movie of the same name that I haven’t seen. The vinyl suffices and is most enthusiastically recommended, regardless of your usual musical tastes.

Copyright © 2008 MusicAngle.com & Michael Fremer - All rights reserved Reprinted by permission

This Date In Music History-March 4

Birthdays:

Paul Mauriat (1968 #1 single chart "Love Is Blue") (1925)

Eric Allandale - Foundations (1936)

Bobby Womack (1944)

Chris Squire - Yes (1948)

Emilio Estefan - Miami Sound Machine (1950)

Chris Rea (1951)

Jason Newsted - Metallica (1963)

Richard March - Pop Will Eat Itself (1965)

Patrick Hannan - Sundays (1966)

Evan Dando - Lemonheads (1967)

Feargal Lawlor - Cranberries (1971)


They Are Missed:

Younger brother of The Bee Gees, Andy Gibb died in hospital, five days after his 30th birthday in 1978. His death from myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) followed a long battle with cocaine addiction, which had weakened his heart. In the United States, Gibb became the first male solo artist to chart three consecutive #1 singles with "I Just Want to Be Your Everything," "Love Is) Thicker Than Water" and "Shadow Dancing."



American songwriter Howard Greenfield died of a brain tumour in 1986 (age 50). Working out of the famous Brill Building with Neil Sedaka he co-wrote many hits including "Calendar Girl." "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and "Crying In The Rain" with Carole King. Also wrote TV theme songs including the theme to 'Bewitched.'

Richard Manuel (The Band) committed suicide in 1986 at the age of 41.

Village People singer Glenn Hughes died of lung cancer in 2001 (age 50). He was the original "Biker" character in the disco group who scored the 1978 #1 "Y.M.C.A."

In 2002, Doreen Waddell, singer with Soul II Soul was killed after attempting to run across the A27 in Brighton, England after being caught shoplifting.


History:

In 1955, jazz great Charlie Bird Parker played at Birdland in what would be his last public performance.

The winners of the first Grammy Awards were announced in 1959. Domenico Modugno's "Volare" was Record of the Year; Henry Mancini's 'Peter Gunn' was Album of the Year and The Champs "Tequila" won best R&B performance.

In 1966, John Lennon's statement that The Beatles were 'more popular than Jesus Christ' was published in The London Evening Standard. “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. We’re more popular then Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first, rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was alright, but his disciples were thick and ordinary.” Christian group's in the US were outraged resulting in some states burning Beatles records. Lennon later apologized.



The Rolling Stones went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1967 with "Ruby Tuesday," the group's fourth US #1 single. "Lets Spend The Night Together" was the original A side but after radio stations banned the song "Tuesday" became the A side.



In 1970, Janis Joplin was fined $200 for onstage profanity by a Tampa, Florida judge.

Badfinger went gold with “Day After Day” in 1972.

Pink Floyd starts a three week U.S. tour in 1973 in support of their new album “Dark Side of the Moon.”

Hall & Oates recorded "Rich Girl" in 1976.

In 1977, CBS released The Clash's self- titled first album in the UK. CBS in the US refused to release it until 1979. Americans bought over 100,000 imported copies of the record making it one of the biggest- selling import records of all time.

The Rolling Stones recorded their "Love You Live" album in Toronto in 1977.

In 1978, the US internal Revenue Service carried out a dawn raid at the home of Jerry Lee Lewis and removed cars worth over $170,000 to pay off his tax debts.

In 1979, Randy Jackson of The Jackson Five was seriously injured in a car crash breaking both legs and almost died in the emergency room when a nurse inadvertently injects him with methadone.

Frank Zappa's son Dweezil and his daughter Moon Unit formed a band called Fred Zeppelin in 1982. Their first single was "My Mother is a Space Cadet."

Debbie Gibson started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1989 with "Lost In Your Eyes," her second US #1.

Kurt Cobain was rushed to hospital after overdosing on alcohol and drugs in a Rome hotel during a Nirvana European tour in 1994. Cobain had taken 50-60 pills of Rohypnol mixed with champagne; rumours on the internet claimed that Kurt was dead.

In 2004, Brian Wilson appeared at the Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow during his 11-date UK tour. The shows saw Wilson performing the full suite of songs from his unreleased masterpiece 'Smile' Wilson's 'teenage symphony to God.'

Jaheim was at #1 on the US album chart in 2006 with ‘Ghetto Classics’ the American R&B singer’s third album release.

The Doors concert album, “Live In Pittsburgh 1970” was released in 2007. The set captured a show from the band's final U.S. tour. Also the Doors issue, “Vinyl Box,” a seven-LP collection containing the original stereo mixes of all six of the group's studio albums, as well as the mono version of the Doors' self-titled debut.

An expanded edition of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Street Survivors," commemorating the 30th anniversary of the '77 album's release (a tad late), was available in 2008. The two-CD collection includes the final live tracks recorded before the plane crash that killed three band members. There's also a previously un-issued Tom Dowd-produced version that Skynyrd rejected in favor of a self-produced effort they recorded later.

Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon was in bookstores in 2008. The volume was published by Lennon’s "lost weekend" lover, May Pang. "For years, only my closest friends got to see these photos -- which were literally tucked away in a shoebox in my closet," writes Pang in the book. Lennon’s “lost weekend” was a period in the ‘70s when the ex-Beatle and Yoko Ono had split. They later reconciled.

Rockabye Baby!, a company that produces mellow instrumental versions of popular Rock songs geared toward infants, released an album of reworked AC/DC tunes in 2008. “Rockabye Baby!: Lullaby Renditions of AC/DC “ features versions of "Highway To Hell" and "Back In Black." Is nothing sacred?

Britney Spears kicked off a world tour in New Orleans in 2009, her first concert tour for five years. The 27-year-old who dressed as a ringmaster in the show, featured jugglers, acrobats and martial arts dancers.

Music News & Notes

Paramore Limited Edition Vinyl

Paramore has announced that they’ll be releasing a limited edition vinyl record package including an LP version of Brand New Eyes and a 7" single of "Brick By Boring Brick."

The LP, pressed on jet black slabs of wax, is limited to 5,000 copies for the entire globe! The 7" is a picture disc featuring the image of wings from the albums booklet on the A side and Hayley’s handwritten lyrics on the flip side.

==================================

Flaming Lips Take ‘Embroyonic’ On The Road

Oklahoma-based rockers the Flaming Lips will play a slew of new tour dates in support of 2009's Embryonic, the band's 12th LP and first-ever double album. The equally psychedelic Stardeath And White Dwarfs will join the group at most of the shows, which begin in March in Austin, Texas, and end in July at New York’s Central Park SummerStage.

A stop at the Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival is included in the currently 18-date tour. For this show, the Flaming Lips will play a full set in addition to a collaborative performance with Stardeath And White Dwarfs of Pink Floyd's classic album, The Dark Side Of The Moon. Prior to this show, the Flaming Lips will release a physical version of last year's Dark Side remake with Stardeath And White Dwarfs and guest musicians Henry Rollins and Peaches. The vinyl edition goes on sale April 17, and the CD version comes out May 4.

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Skeletonwitch Limited Vinyl Release

Prosthetic Records is happy to announce Skeletonwitch's "Worship the Witch" 10" EPs have arrived. Pre-orders are shipping now and the rest of the limited pressing is up for sale now.

Originally released as a follow up to their first full length, "At One With The Shadows," SKELETONWITCH gained momentum by slef releasing this 4 song EP on CD that would later create their PROSTHETIC debut, "Beyond The Permafrost." This is the first time "Worship the Witch" is available on wax! The artwork has been reconfigured by John Baizley (Kylesa, Baroness)

Here is the breakdown of the color ways and limitations on each: Black Wax - 400 Copies * Yellow Wax - 200 Copies * Blue Wax - 200 Copies * Green Wax - 100 Copies (sold out through pre-order) * Clear Wax- 100 Copies (available exclusively through the band)

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Johnny Cash Final American Recording Album A Hit

Johnny Cash's American VI: Ain't No Grave, the Man in Black's "final victory," according to USA Today, enters the Billboard 200 Albums charts next week at #3, marking the highest debut of the week with more than 54,000 units sold. The album also debuted in the #2 spot on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart.

The album, which closes out the Rick Rubin-produced and critically-acclaimed American Recordings series, was officially released on February 26, the day that would have been Cash's 78th birthday. Cash's Ain't No Grave shares the apex of the Billboard chart with Sade's Soldier of Love (#1) and Lady Gaga's The Fame (#2).

American VI: Ain't No Grave was recorded in the months leading up to Cash's passing on September12, 2003. The songs were drawn from all over the musical landscape and from various eras, and include Sheryl Crow's moving "Redemption Day," close Cash friend Kris Kristofferson's "For The Good Times," "Can Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound" by Tom Paxton, Bob Nolan's "Cool Water," the hopeful "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" by Ed McCurdy, J.H. Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes's "Satisfied Mind," Queen Lili'uokalani's song of farewell "Aloha Oe," and the never before heard Cash original, "I Corinthians: 15:55," written over the last three years of his life.

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Lou Reed Classic Remastered For Vinyl, DVD Audio and Blu-Ray

Lou Reed has finalized details of the digitally re-mastered edition of his seminal 1975 album "Metal Machine Music." Reed will release the ground breaking album in the UK on April 19th on his independent label "Sister Ray" in the following three formats – double gatefold vinyl in quadraphonic sound, audio DVD and Blu-ray.

The album coincides with Lou Reed's Metal Machine Trio UK concerts at the Cambridge Junction (April 17), Oxford O2 Academy (April 18) and London Royal Festival Hall (April 19, part of the Ether Festival).

Lou did the digital re-mastering from the original multi-tracks with the help of world-renowned mastering guru, Scott Hull. This is a new and improved re-mastered version, and is different from all previous releases on the RCA, Buddha and Sony affiliated labels.

Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 1, 2010


DEAR JERRY: I was knocked out by the high values, and endless nuances affecting those prices, for the “Introducing the Beatles” album covered in your recent column.

I would very much like to have similar details and values for first state issues of “The Beatles Yesterday and Today,” with the Butcher Cover.
—Jesse Watson, Burlington, Wisc.

DEAR JESSE: Of course you'll be needing this information for both the monaural and stereo issues, right?

On the small chance anyone reading this is unfamiliar with the story, the first edition — also known as first state — of “The Beatles Yesterday and Today” sported what was by 1966 standards a highly controversial photo.

The front cover, described by the Beatles as having “their own brand of pop art satire,” pictures the four boys wearing butcher smocks, while surrounded by chunks of raw meat, bones, and pieces from toy dolls.

Commonly referred to as the Butcher Cover, reviewers, radio stations, and print media who received advance copies, swamped Capitol Records with complaints — to such an extent the company quickly recalled it and replaced the butcher shop image with a very mundane one.

The recall and cover switcheroo took place before record stores received copies, which means the Butcher Cover edition was neither commercially available nor sold in stores.

By modern standards, such an embarrassing imbroglio over a cluttered yet nontoxic photograph is clearly much ado about nothing.

On the bright side, the controversy did give birth to a very valuable collectible.

Monaural first state copies (T-2553) are now in the $5,000 to $7,500 range. Stereo first states are at least twice as rare as monos and twice as valuable: $10,000 to $15,000.


DEAR JERRY: There is something about a teener record I bought in the 1960s that has been nagging me since then.

Unfortunately, this is a flop that fell through the cracks, one no one seems to know a thing about. The title is “Submarine Race,” and the credit reads Danny & Gwen (Liberty 55490).

The issue is how familiar these two sound, especially Gwen, though I can't think of anyone named Gwen who recorded at that time.

I just found a copy on eBay, but the seller left no comments whatsoever. He obviously knows nothing more than I do about Danny & Gwen.

Might one or both of this duo be known under other names?
—Rusty Crutchfield, San Mateo, Calif.


DEAR RUSTY: Danny may not be known to you, though he does have about a dozen hits to his credit.

He is Jerry Naylor, best known in the '60s for “Stop Your Crying” (1961) and in the '70s for “But for Love” (1970) and “Is This All There Is to a Honky Tonk” (1975).

Briefly, Jerry sang with the Crickets in 1961, also for Liberty Records, two years after Buddy Holly's death.

Giving you Gwen's name at birth, Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona, isn't much of a clue, but I think you know this talented singer better as Vikki Carr.

Five years later, Vikki landed in the Top 3 with her signature song, “It Must Be Him.” It and Dean Martin's “That's Amore” are the two featured vocals in the 1987 film “Moonstruck.”

In the years after “Submarine Race,” Jerry and Vikki each made many records, but never again recorded together.


IZ ZAT SO? Though most folks are never likely to see one, a precious few still-sealed copies of the first state stereo “Beatles Yesterday and Today” do exist. Quantity estimates vary, but most put the number preserved in the original shrink-wrap at no more than 10.

Should one of those pop up in a properly-run auction, the hammer would not likely fall until bidding reached the $40,000 to $60,000 range.

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. 

Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368

E-mail: jpo@olympus.net

Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission

Music News & Notes

Two Free Elliott Smith Downloads From Upcoming Reissues

On April 6, independent label Kill Rock Stars will reissue Elliott Smith's first and last full albums, completing its library of the late singer-songwriter's independent releases. To promote the reissues, the label has made a remastered version of "Last Call" (Roman Candle) and "Twilight" (From A Basement On The Hill) available for free download. http://killrockstars.com/

Roman Candle, Smith's first album, was recorded in his then girlfriend's basement, and, as the story goes, only because she convinced him to mail it in to Portland-based Cavity Search Records did it ever see the light of day. The Kill Rock Stars founder, Slim Moon, vividly recalls his first real encounter with Smith's music at Kill Rock Stars' Web site. For the reissue, Roger Seibel, along with the Smith family's archivist, Larry Crane, have remastered the album, known for its scratchy, lo-fi home production. Roman Candle will also see its first U.S. vinyl release through the KRS reissue. From A Basement On The Hill was the last album that Smith worked on before his death in 2003. It was released posthumously on ANTI-Records.

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Band of Horses Announce New Album

Band of Horses return with their much anticipated third album, Infinite Arms, on May 18. But what label will release it? Possibly Sub Pop, who released their first two albums, but possibly not. The label hasn't been announced yet.

Touring members Tyler Ramsey and Bill Reynolds make their debut on record with Infinite Arms, which was produced by the band and Phil Ek, who worked on the band's past albums. All five members contributed to the recording process, causing frontman Ben Bridwell to state, "in many ways, this is the first Band of Horses record."

Band of Horses plan to tour long and hard throughout the rest of the year.

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Genesis Guitarist Steve Hackett Announces Album Release

North America will soon see the release of Steve Hackett's new album Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth. The album is scheduled to hit streets on June 8th via InsideOut Music.

Released late last year in the world-renowned guitarist/composer's native UK, Out Of The Tunnel's Mouth is a rock album which features beautifully-sweeping symphonic sounds highlighted by Hackett's signature soaring guitar and unsullied vocals. The tracks contain a mélange of influences from classical to Middle Eastern and showcase Hackett's prowess as a composer with the ability to meld seemingly disparate styles.

In other news, Hackett will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame on March 15th in The 25th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2010 Induction Ceremony alongside his Genesis bandmates from the classic line-up: Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford. For more than three decades, Steve Hackett has been known for his innovative tone and extraordinary versatility as a guitarist and composer. He helped define Genesis' sound as lead guitarist in the classic line-up and went on to have a highly-successful career as a solo artist, and also as part of 80s supergroup GTR with Steve Howe.

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Mr. Gnome Announce EP And Tour

Critically-praised Cleveland duo Mr. Gnome has announced U.S. tour dates beginning in March in support of a new EP due out later this month.

The EP, titled 'Tastes Like Magic' will be released on vinyl and digital download on March 16th. The new songs were recorded at Josh Homme's (QOTSA, Them Crooked Vultures) Pink Duck Studios in Los Angeles, where Mr. Gnome also recorded its recent album, Heave Yer Skeleton.

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The Black Keys New Album Details

The Black Keys release their sixth full-length album, Brothers, May 18 on Nonesuch Records. The album arrives on the heels of three other acclaimed projects the band released in the past year: Dan Auerbach's solo effort, Keep It Hid, the debut LP from Patrick Carney's band Drummer, and Blakroc, a collaboration between The Black Keys and renowned MCs including RZA, Mos Def, Q-Tip, and Raekwon.

The band will support Brothers with a tour that includes a sold out performance at Central Park's SummerStage in New York City on July 27 (additional dates will be announced soon).

The New York Times has called The Black Keys' music "tough-minded, blues haunted songs," and the ghosts of Muscle Shoals inhabit Brothers' 15 tracks. Of the album, Auerbach says, "We like spooky sounds…like Alice Coltrane, where a dark groove is laid down. That's the headspace we tried to get into for this record."

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Metallica Boycott

Metallica fans in Israel were excited when they learned that the band would return to the country for the first time in over a decade on May 22nd to play at the Ramat Gan stadium in Tel Aviv. However, their mood blackened when they learned about the excessive ticket prices.

Metal Israel reports that the show's "producer Marcel Avram is charging no less than 600 shekel for the cheapest seats (around $159 according to today's exchange rate) while floor seats are twice that price." Because of this an online drive via Facebook has been started by fans calling for a boycott of the show.

Over 500 fans have reportedly already agreed to boycott the concert. According to Metal Israel, "The initiators of the boycott state that Metallica tickets do not cost nearly as much as this in the rest of the world and assert that the promoter is trying to take advantage of loyal Metallica fans."

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The Charlatans' Debut Album 'Some Friendly' Gets 20th Anniversary Re-Release

Beggars Banquet are re-releasing The Charlatans' debut album 'Some Friendly' this May to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The expanded edition of the record features a remastered version of the original album plus a 19-track second CD of single b-sides and complete BBC sessions from the John Peel and Mark Goodier shows.

The album's re-release coincides with Tim Burgess and co.'s performances at Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona and The Roundhouse in Camden where they will play the album in its entirety.

Released in October 1990, 'Some Friendly' shot to number one in the UK charts and contained their breakthrough single 'The Only One I Know'.

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Deerhoof to Release Two Vinyl Reissues for Record Store Day

In honor of this year's Record Store Day (April 17), Deerhoof are reissuing their 2003 album Apple O' and 2005 EP Green Cosmos on vinyl. Each comes with a download code for the album's contents, plus four bonus tracks. Apple O' is on blue vinyl, while Green Cosmos is on green vinyl.

Deerhoof's Greg Saunier wrote a note about the reissues and his relationship with independent record stores which can be read over at the Kill Rock Stars site. http://killrockstars.com/news/

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Ambitions to release new EP

Although they broke up in mid-2008, Ambitions recently found themselves in the studio recording for a compilation and decided to record new material for a 7" to be titled "Surface To Air." Here's the official word from frontman Jay Aust:

"This past December, we were asked to do a cover song for an upcoming Chain Of Strength tribute 7". Although we hadn't been an active band for some time, it was hard to pass up the opportunity to record again. Since our last show in Fall 2007, we have been busy with various musical endeavors (Jeff and John formed Daybreaker, Jake has been playing in Defeater and his new band DreamTigers, Keith has been touring with Energy, and I have been keeping busy with Unforgiven). Despite everyone's schedules, it has been a cool experience to get everyone together, especially given we are spread out over 3 states.


"The Chain of Strength compilation, which is being released by 1124 Records, will include a 2x7" vinyl and will also feature songs from our friends in The Geeks, Offsides, Reign Supreme, and others. Our contribution will be "There Is A Difference" off the True Till Death 7".


"While in the studio, we also decided to record a few new songs. In late spring, we will release a new 7" entitled Surface to Air. The recording is currently in progress at Getaway Studios (Bane, Shipwreck, Defeater) by Dan Rose and will be mixed by Jay Maas. Everything is going well and we should be wrapping up around the end of March. More release details and updates to follow.


"Lastly, we were recently given the opportunity to play a one-off show in Texas in June alongside With Honor. Having never had the chance to play the Southwest, we are very excited to get out that way! The show will take place June 18th @ The Abilene Civic Center in Abilene TX.


"Although not officially back together, we may do a few shows in support of the new release late spring/early summer. Hope to see you soon!"

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From Ashes Rise Return with New Live Album, EP and Montreal Reunion Show

Portland-based hardcore quartet From Ashes Rise called it quits in 2005 after a sturdy eight-year run. However, the band have returned with both a live album and their first shows in five years. On top of that, they have a new EP in the works.

As Punknews.com reports, the live album is going to be called Live Hell and was recorded in Los Angeles in 2005. The 13-track release is available now through iTunes, and will get a limited 500 copy vinyl release by Jade Tree on March 23.

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And Finally.....

Vinyl records making a comeback

New Music Releases - March 2, 2010

Buy New Vinyl Here:  http://www.insound.com/


A Girl Called Eddy - A Girl Called Eddy (vinyl reissue)
A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Nitetime Rainbows EP (vinyl)
A Weather - Everyday Balloons
Athlete - Black Swan
Benjy Davis Project - Lost Souls Like Us
Benny Andersson Band - Story of a Heart
Black 47 - Bankers & Gangsters
Black Water Rising - Black Water Rising
Blake Shelton - Hillbilly Bone
Borknagar - Universal
Bradley - MountainTigerWolf
Bridges and Blinking Lights - Heroes, Guns & Snakes
Caitlin Rose - Dead Flowers
Citizen Cope - The Rainwater LP
Cliff Richard & the Shadows - Golden Greats (3 CDs)
Cliff Richard - Vintage 2010
Clogs - The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton
Connie Francis - Golden Greats
DJ Khaled - Victory
Danny Elfman - Alice in Wonderland (soundtrack)
Danny Gokey - My Best Days
Dave Brubeck - Time Out (Vinyl)
Dean Martin - That's Amore
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie with Love from Dee Dee
Dire Straits - Communique (vinyl reissue)
Easton Corbin - Easton Corbin
Editors - You Don't Know Love
Ella Fitzgerald - Simply Ella
Ella Fitzgerald - Sings the Cole Porter Songbook
Emma Pollock - The Law Of Large Numbers
Fela Kuti - London Scene / Shakara (reissues)
Fenn O'Berg - In Stereo
Flogging Molly - Live at the Greek Theater (2-CDs & DVD)
Foreigner - Can't Slow Down (Vinyl)
Frank Turner - Love Ire & Song (vinyl)
Gary Numan - Down in the Park: The Alternative Anthology
Golden Triangle - Double Jointer (vinyl)
Great American Taxi - Reckless Habits
Groove Armada - Black Light
Guitar Shorty - Bare Knuckle
Hank Williams - Lost Highway
Holmes Brothers - Feed My Soul
Jaguar Love - Hologram Jams (vinyl)
Jamie Cullum - The Pursuit (vinyl)
Jamie Foxx - Body
Japanther - Rock N Roll Ice Cream (vinyl)
Jason DeRulo - Jason DeRulo
Jimmy Hughes - Why Not Tonight: The Fame Recordings 2
John Hiatt - The Open Road
Josh Wolf ( of WHY?) - Jet Lag
Judas Priest - Sin After Sin (Vinyl)
Judas Priest - Stained Glass (Vinyl)
Lifehouse - Smoke & Mirrors
Lightspeed Champion - Life Is Sweet! Nice to Meet You (vinyl)
Little Boots - Hands
Loscil - Endless Falls
Madonna - Revolver (Single) (Vinyl)
Marley's Ghost - Ghost Town
Mastodon - Remission (vinyl)
Miles Davis - Live in Rome & Copenhagen 1969
Miles Davis - Warsaw Concert 1983
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Natalie Merchant - Leave Your Sleep
Overnight Lows - City of Rotten Eyes
Owen Pallett - Heartland
Peasant - Shady Retreat
Peter Gabriel - Scratch My Back (2-CD deluxe edition)
Polar Bear - Peepers
Portugal. The Man - American Ghetto
Raheem DeVaughn - The Love & War MasterPeace
Ray Charles - Berlin 92
Rogue Wave - Permalight
Rogue Wave - Permalight (vinyl)
Sarah Silverman - Songs Of The Sarah Silverman Program
Sharam Jay - In My Blood
Shearwater - The Golden Archipelago (vinyl)
Shirley Bassey - EMI/UA Years 1959-1979 (5 CDs)
Shirley Bassey - Vintage 2010
Shooter Jennings - Black Ribbons
Strange Boys - Be Brave
Sun Ra - Space Is the Place (soundtrack) (2-LP vinyl reissue)
The Library Is On Fire - Magic Windows, Magic Nights
The Ruby Suns - Fight Softly (vinyl)
The Texas Tornados - Esta Bueno
These New Puritans - Hidden
Twin Tigers - Gray Waves
Various Artists - Almost Alice
Various Artists - Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey
Various Artists - Next Stop Soweto
Various Artists - Nigeria Afrobeat Special: The New Explosive Sound in 1970's Nigeria (3-LP vinyl box set)
Various Artists - Nigeria Special Volume 2: Modern Highlife: Afro Sounds & Niger=an Blues 1970-6 (vinyl)
Various Artists - Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Concert
Visage - Face: The Best of
Wendy & Lisa - Nurse Jackie - Season One Soundtrack
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Skeleton (vinyl)
Yellow Swans - Going Places
Yo-Yo Ma - Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (soundtrack) (reissue)




Watch for these CD sets on March 4, 2010

Bread - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
Judy Collins - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
Drifters - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
Foghat - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
Iggy & the Stooges - Move Ass Baby
Kix - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
Men at Work - Live in San Bernardino
Ricky Nelson - Lonesome Town Complete Record Releases 1957-59 (3 CDs)
Todd Rundgren - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
Slave - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
Spinners (Detroit Spinners) - Original Album Series (5 CDs)
Warren Zevon - Original Album Series (5 CDs)

This Date In Music History-March 2

Birthdays:

Lou Reed - Velvet Underground (1943)

Eddie Money (1949)

Jay Osmond - Osmonds (1955)

Dale Bozzio - Missing Persons (1955)

Mark Evans - AC/DC. He quit in 1977 after becoming tired of touring (1956)

John Cowsill - Cowsills (1956)

Jon Bon Jovi - Bon Jovi (1962)



Chris Martin - Coldplay (1977)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1950, Karen Carpenter, vocals, drums, The Carpenters. She died on February 4, 1983 of anorexia nervosa.

French singer Serge Gainsbourg died of a heart attack in 1991. During his career, he wrote the soundtracks for more than 40 films.

Born on this day in 1948, Rory Gallagher, Irish blues guitarist. Gallagher died on June 14, 1995.

Born today in 1938 , Lawrence Payton, vocals, The Four Tops. Payton died on June 20, 1997.

In 1999, Dusty Springfield died after a long battle against cancer (age 59). The British singer had her first UK hit single in 1963 with "I Only Want To Be With You" plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles.

Singer, songwriter Hank Ballard died from throat cancer in 2003. Wrote and recorded "The Twist," but it was only released on the B-side of a record. One year later, Chubby Checker debuted his own version of "The Twist" on Dick Clark's Philadelphia television show. It topped the charts and launched a popular dance craze.

Born today in 1943, Tony Meehan, drummer, The Shadows. Meehan died on11/28/05 (age 62) from head injuries sustained in a fall.

In 2008, Canadian guitarist, singer, Jeff Healey, died of cancer. Healey lost his sight to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes when he was eight months old, resulting in his eyes being surgically removed. After living cancer-free for 38 years, he developed sarcoma in his legs. Despite surgery for this, the sarcoma spread to his lungs and ultimately was the cause of his death. Healey released over 12 albums, presented a long running radio show and worked with many artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, BB King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, Eric Clapton and Ian Gillan.


History:

Bo Diddley had his first recording session at Universal Recording Studio in Chicago in 1955, where he layed down "Bo Diddley," which went on the top the R&B chart by the following June.

In 1960, after completing his national service and flying back to America, Elvis Presley stepped on British soil for the first and only time in his life when the plane carrying him stopped for refuelling at Prestwick Airport, Scotland.

In 1963, the Four Seasons became the first group to have 3 consecutive #1's in the US when "Walk Like A Man" started a three week run at the top.

The Beatles began filming what would become their first feature film 'A Hard Days Night' at Marylebone train station in London in 1964.

Also in 1964, Vee-Jay Records in Chicago created the Tollie label and released "Twist And Shout" by the Beatles.

At this year’s Grammys in 1974, Stevie Wonder won four awards: Album of the year for 'Innervisions', Best R&B song and Best vocal for "Superstition" and Pop vocal performance for "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life."



Terry Jacks started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with "Seasons In The Sun." The song (written in French by Belgian, Jacques Brel), had English lyrics by poet Rod McKuen.

In 1975, a policeman who stopped a Lincoln Continental for running a red light in Los Angeles was surprised to find Paul McCartney at the wheel with his wife Linda. The cop detected a smell of marijuana and on searching the car found eight ounces of the drug. Linda was arrested for the offence.

A new digital audio system, a five-inch compact disc containing up to 1 hour of music was launched by Sony, Philips and Polygram in 1983.

Wham! started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1985 with "Make It Big," which eventually went on the sell over 5 million copies in the US.

In 1991, 21 years after it's first release "All Right Now" by Free made it to #2 on the UK singles chart after being re-issued to coincide with its use in a Wrigleys Chewing gum TV ad.

Madonna's "Rescue Me" entered the US hot 100 at #15 in 1991, making her the highest- debuting female artist in rock history.

In 1991, Mariah Carey started an 11-week run at #1 on the US album chart with her debut 'Mariah Carey.'

LeAnn Rimes went to #1 on the US album chart in 1997 with 'Unchained Melody, The Early Years.'

50 Cent started a nine week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 2003 with "In Da Club."

R. Kelly was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with ‘Chocolate Factory.’

In 2004, Metallica and Godsmack headed out on the "Madly In Anger Tour" across North America. "We look forward to completely annihilating America," says Godsmack's Sully Erna. Metallica also offers audio recordings of every show on their tour for sale within days of each performance via their LiveMetallica.com. website. "This technology enables our fans to get the best possible recording of the show, without having to hold a microphone in the air for the entire night," says drummer Lars Ulrich.

In 2007, Jimi Hendrix was crowned the 'wildest guitar hero' of all-time in a poll of music fans for Classic Rock magazine. Hendrix beat Keith Richards into second place, with Stevie Ray Vaughan in third. Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page made it to number four, followed by Dimebag Darrell, who played for several heavy metal bands including Pantera and Damageplan.

In 2009, Liverpool University launched a Masters degree on The Beatles, popular music and society. Liverpool Hope University claimed the course which looked at the studio sound and compositions of The Beatles was the first of its kind in the UK and "probably the world".

In 2009, U2 began a five-night run on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman to promote their album “No Line On The Horizon.” The set drops the following day. It’s the group’s first performance on Lettermen since ’01. O

Lifehouse roll out their fifth studio album in 2010 “Smoke & Mirrors.” It's the group's first effort since the addition of guitarist Ben Carey.